Bol.
So that by this intelligence we learn,
The Welshmen are dispersed; and Salisbury

Is gone to meet the king, who lately landed,
With some few private friends, upon this coast.

North.
The news is very fair and good, my lord;
Richard, not far from hence, hath hid his head.

York.
It would beseem the Lord Northumberland,
To say—King Richard:—Alack the heavy day,
When such a sacred king should hide his head.

North.
Your grace mistakes me: only to be brief,
Left I his title out.

York.
The time hath been,—

Bol.
Mistake not, uncle, further than you should.

York.
Take not, good cousin, further than you should,
Lest you mis-take: The heavens are o'er your head.

Bol.
I know it, uncle; and oppose not
Myself against their will.—But who comes here? Enter Percy.
Well, Harry; what, will not this castle yield?

Per.
The castle royally is manned, my lord,
Against thy entrance.

Bol.
Royally!
Why it contains no king?

Per.
Yes, my good lord,
It doth contain a king; King Richard lies
Within the limits of yon lime and stone:
And with him are the Lord Aumerle, Lord Salisbury,
Sir Stephen Scroop, besides a clergyman
Of holy reverence, who, I cannot learn.

North.
Belike, it is the Bishop of Carlisle.

Bol.
Noble lord, [To North.
Go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle;
Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parle
Into his ruin'd ears, and thus deliver.
Harry Bolingbroke
On both his knees doth kiss King Richard's hand;
And sends allegiance, and true faith of heart,
To his most royal person: hither come
Even at his feet to lay my arms and power;
Provided that, my banishment repeal'd,
And lands restor'd again, be freely granted:
If not, I'll use the advantage of my power,

And lay the summer's dust with showers of blood,
Rain'd from the wounds of slaughter'd Englishmen;
The which, how far off from the mind of Bolingbroke
It is, such crimson tempest should bedrench
The fresh green lap of fair King Richard's land,
My stooping duty tenderly shall show.
Go, signify as much; while here we march
Upon the grassy carpet of this plain. [Exeunt Northumberland and others towards the castle.
Let's march without the noise of threat'ning war,
That from the castle's totter'd battlements
Our fair appointments may be well perus'd.
March on, and mark King Richard how he looks. [Exeunt Bolingbroke, York, &c., &c.

Previous section

Next section